Blagojevich Defeats Vallas in Tight Illinois Primary Win

U.S. Rep. Rod R. Blagojevich
edged out former Chicago schools chief Paul G. Vallas last week in the
Democratic primary race to become the next governor of Illinois.

Mr. Blagojevich, who won with 37 percent of the vote, will face
Republican Jim Ryan, the state attorney general, in November in what is
expected to be one of the nation's most closely contested state
races.

Mr. Vallas received 34 percent of the Democratic primary vote March
19, with a former Illinois attorney general, Roland Burris, garnering
29 percent.

During his six years as Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's appointee
to run the nation's third-largest school district, Mr. Vallas gained
widespread attention from educators and school policymakers around the
country. He had been in third place in the Democratic field, according
to polls, but enjoyed a surge in the campaign's home stretch, as he
began television ads and was endorsed by most of the state's major
newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune. ("Former Chicago Schools Chief in
Tight Race for Governor," March 13, 2002.)

But Mr. Vallas was never able to secure a majority of voters in
Chicago, where Mr. Burris had the strongest showing after winning the
endorsements of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and his son, U.S. Rep. Jesse
L. Jackson Jr., D-Ill.

In the downstate areas, meanwhile, Rep. Blagojevich had what
analysts called a surprisingly strong showing, attributed to heavy
spending on TV advertising. Mr. Vallas gathered a majority of
Democratic votes in suburban areas.

"It's been a great, great campaign," Mr. Vallas said in his
concession speech. "We got beat because we just didn't have the numbers
downstate."

Mr. Vallas called on Democrats to unite and support his former
opponent to oust Republicans from the governor's office, which they
have held for more than two decades. "For 25 years, the Republicans in
Springfield have sold us out. ... I say it's time for a change," he
said.

Mr. Blagojevich, who had won the endorsement of the Illinois
Federation of Teachers, the state's main teachers' union, said during
his campaign that there was too much disparity in achievement between
Chicago's inner-city schools and nearby suburban schools. He called for
more funding, early-childhood-education programs, the recruitment of
more teachers, and stronger accountability to address the problem.

"We can increase accountability now with schools without a mindless
rush to testing, and we will," the Democratic nominee said in his
victory speech.

He attacked Attorney General Ryan as too conservative and "out of
step with mainstream values," themes Mr. Blagojevich will likely
continue to use in the campaign.

Republican Winner

Although the Democratic hopefuls sparred on education and other
issues, the Republicans had a far more contentious race. Leading up to
the primary, Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood and state Sen. Patrick J. O'Malley
had pounded Attorney General Ryan in their commercials. In the end,
however, Mr. Ryan easily won the GOP primary with 45 percent of the
vote.

Mr. Ryan, like Mr. Blagojevich, has called for more funding for
education. Political observers suggest he has focused on education, in
part, to deflect attention from parts of his socially conservative
platform that may not play well with moderate voters.

In his victory speech last week, Mr. Ryan thanked his family and
volunteers, but did not discuss any issues or his opponents.

Although he always held a significant lead in the polls, Mr. Ryan
had a tougher primary race because his two opponents ganged up on him
with aggressive attack campaigns.

Although Attorney General Ryan is no relation to Gov. George Ryan,
the embattled and unpopular retiring chief executive, Mr. O'Malley ran
television ads that compared the two and morphed their faces together.
Ms. Wood, a moderate, homed in on the attorney general's opposition to
abortion.

A week before the primary election, Mr. Ryan said his opponents had
sent the GOP race "into the toilet now" with their attacks.

In other Illinois races, Democrats are hoping to take control of the
state Senate, after two longtime Republican senators were defeated
because of redistricting.

Ground Rules for Posting
We encourage lively debate, but please be respectful of others. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited. By commenting, you are agreeing to abide by our user agreement.
All comments are public.